Good Friday proved to be a Black Friday for Torquay United at Sincil Bank as they went down to defeat against league leaders Lincoln City but now they have the chance to put things against Braintree Town at Plainmoor.
The Gulls would have needed to beat their fellow strugglers the Iron regardless of the outcome of their encounter against the Imps, managed by former Braintree boss Danny Cowley, but the importance of winning all three points has increased with results elsewhere going against Torquay.
One factor that could provide Gulls manager Kevin Nicholson with a big boost would be the return to fitness of Dan Sparkes who has sat out United's last two fixtures with Aldershot Town and Lincoln and will be facing his former club if selected.
Four years ago, United were in a similar situation as they faced their final three fixtures of the 2012-13 season under the interim managership of Alan Knill, after Martin Ling had gone absent through illness. Following a narrow 1-0 defeat to champions elect Gillingham - note the similarities to the present day - before beating fellow relegation candidates Barnet 3-2 and Morecambe 1-0 before drawing 3-3 with Bristol Rovers on the final day at home to make survival mathematically certain.
A repeat of that points return in 2017 would more than likely be enough, and another parallel to be found is that the Gulls were in 22nd place in the League Two table - their current position in the National League at the time of writing.
Can lightning strike twice for United?
